Therapeutic mammoplasty, anybody had this?

Hi Beyoncepower

Great that you’ve had a good result from your chemo and you now get your surgery.  A therapeutic mammoplasty is removal of the lump, then they use remaining breast tissue to fill the gap and reshape the breast.  I had an 18mm lump removed alongside 45mm of DCIS and I was thrilled with the result of the shape after the mammoplasty - they also recentralised my nipple.  Your scar will depend on where your lump is located.  I didn’t have any issues post-surgery and there was less pain than expected. Although they sent me home with codeine, I managed with just paracetamol. Depending on what kind of dressing they use, you might be able to shower the next day.

The physio department should give you exercises to do post-surgery which you need to do to keep your arm moving.  Recovery was pretty quick though I took a couple of weeks off work.  Pathology results usually take a couple of weeks which is always too long!

Hope that helps. If you’d like any further info, ask away!  Otherwise best wishes for a successful and straightforward op

Loffie x

Hi Loffie

Thank you for taking time to reply.

Ive not heard this procedure being commented on as much as standard lumpectomies. It seems like it gives really good results especially if you’ve got larger boobs which I do.

After having a look at your profile I see you had a second lump in the same boob. Was this in the same area as before or in a different part? I know there’s a risk of recurrence and wonder if you would have changed your decision at all after finding the second lump? Hope that’s an okay question to ask??? 

Many thanks xxx

Hi Beyoncepower

Very happy to answer questions   Unfortunately during my first op, my surgeon noticed a previously unidentified area of DCIS on the edge of the mammogram which also had a small 3mm tumour found in it during pathology.  The DCIS was quite close to the chest wall so very difficult to image. For my second op, I was offered the choice of a mastectomy or a second wide local excision with reconstruction and opted for the latter as they gave me the same chance of recurrence with both options and I was able to keep my own breast.  I’m very pleased I made that decision!

You’re correct, if you’ve got larger boobs, the result should be really good.  I’m quite small and even with the large amount of DCIS removed in the first op, my surgeon did an outstanding job!

It’s worth asking your surgeon if he can draw on you during a consultation what he’s going to do so you get used to where the scars will be etc.  

Loffie xx

Hi Loffie

It is so helpful to hear your experience and opinion.

I know there’s always a chance they may find something else when they open you up, so you can only be prepared so far for that. I e read a lot of positives about the operation and if I do go ahead will definitely ask for the surgeon to mark up where the scars go, that’s really useful. 

Hope all is good with you? What stage are you at now? I’ve got the surgery booked in for the 13th of April and will need to self isolate which will be difficult with my 8 year old! Then radiotherapy afterwards. It’s so good to feel I’m progressing through this even if it’s all still quite terrifying.

Sending you all my positivity and warmest wishes xxx

Beyoncepower, great that you have a date for your surgery and it’ll be here before you know it!  Looking at your profile, you’ve done really well so far with some difficult side effects. Staying strong and positive will see you through the rest of your treatment just fine 

I’m all finished with my treatment now, though I’m still going to the hospital for acupuncture to help my peripheral neuropathy from chemo. And I might have some reshaping done later on this year with lipofilling to fill in a few hollows in my reconstruction but it’s not essential.

Best of luck with your self-isolating - sounds challenging! xx